Valve mechanism



Jan. 12, 1965 R. c. DREIBELBIS 9 5 VALVE MECHANISM Filed May 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /5A A/V6'//V6 DAMPER A/ie PEESSMQE EEGUL A 7019 1 29 j THEQMOSTA r FIG.|

INVENTOR.

RICHARD C. DREIBELBIS BYWJM ATTORNEY.

1955 R. c. DREIBELBIS 3,

VALVE MECHANISM Filed May 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

92 INVEN TOR.

RICHARD C. DREIBELBIS 5 BY j/MM ATTORNEY.

- Delaware Filed May 5, 1960, Ser. No. 27,183 3 Claims. (Cl. 236-100) This invention relates generally to a valve mechanism and more particularly to a power operated three-way, changeover type of valve mechanism which has novel mounting means thereon.

A valve mechanism of the type described finds an important application in the field of air conditioning, especially where the air conditioning problem may require alternate heating and cooling. In the copending applica tion Serial Number 26,986 of Milton H. Coleman and Carlyle M. Ashley filed May 5, 1960, now Patent Number 3,122,201, there is disclosed an induction type air conditioning system wherein outside air is treated at a central station andthen distributed at relatively high static pressure and at relatively high velocity to a plurality of units each located at an area to be conditioned. The high pressure air supplied to each unit is discharged therein through discharge nozzles and in this manner secondary air'is induced into the unit. The primary or conditioned air and the secondary or induced air are mixed within the unit and are then suppleid to the area to be conditioned. Within each unit is a heat exchanger. Preferably, during winter operating conditions, a hot conditioning medium maybe supplied to the heat exchanger while during summer operating conditions a cold conditioning medium may be supplied to the heat exchanger.

It will be understood under some circumstances piping may be so arranged that both hot and cold conditioning medium may be available at each unit. It is preferable that the supply of conditioning medium supplied to each heat exchanger be substantially constant, that the supply of primary air supplied to each unit also be substantially constant, and that the quantity of induced air passing in heat exchange relation with the heat exchanger be varied by means of a damper in the unit which permits a desired quantity of induced air to pass through theheat exchanger of each unit or to bypass the heat exchanger as desired in order to vary the amount of total heat applied to or removed from the induced air while maintaining the total quantity of air discharged from the unit substantially constant. 1

The damper disclosed in the aforementioned patent application is actuated by a control system including an expansible member provided with primary air under a predetermined control pressure fromthe plenum chamber of each unit. Air passes through a restriction member containing a sharp-edged orifice and is diverted to one of two outlets. One outlet near the orifice vena contracta is connected to the expansible member for actuating the damper and the other outlet downstream of the vena contracta is connected to a changeover valve mechanism. The changeover valve mechanism which is mounted in heat exchange relation with the heat exchanger includes a thermal actuator which senses the approximate temperature of the conditioningmedium flowing through the heat exchanger and causes the air passing through the changeover valve to flow to either the heating section or the cooling section of the bleed-type thermostatic control mechanism in such control system dependent upon winter or summer operating conditions. The air flowing through the control mechanism may be bled to the atmosphere from either the heating portion or the cooling portion of the control mechanism to regulate the pressure within the United States Patent Patented Jan. 12, 1965 "ice . mechanism having means thereon for mounting the valve on a bend of a heat exchanger.

. Another object of this invention is to provide a valve mechanism including a thermal expansion element for actuating the valve in such mechanism and means for mounting the valve mechanism, such mounting means comprising the valve calibrating means.

This invention relates to a changeover valve mechanism adapted to be mounted on a bend of a heat exchanger which is adapted to be connected to a source of conditioning medium. The valve mechanism comprises the combination of a housing having a longitudinal bore there in, a first passage in the housing adapted to be'connected at one end with a source of fluid and communicating at the other end with said longitudinal bore, a second passage and a third passage in said casing, each in communication at one end with said longitudinal bore and adapted to be in communication at the other end with a control, a valve assembly in said longitudinal bore for selectively communicating the first passage with either the second passage or the third passage, a power element responsive to the temperature of the conditioning medium and calibrated to actuate the valve assembly within a predetermined temperature range, and mounting means on said casing for securing said'valve mechanism on a bend of the heat exchanger without adversely affecting the calibration of the valve assembly.

The invention will be described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention by way of example and wherein:

ment of the present invention. The room unit includescasing 2 in which is placed plenum chamber 3. The plenum chamber is adapted to be connected to a source of primary air in an air conditioning system. Balancing damper 4 within the plenum chamber regulates the pressure of air supplied to discharge nozzles 5. Suitably mounted in casing 2 is heat exchanger 6. The discharge of primary air from nozzles 5 within the casing induces room air through the open bottom of the easing into heat exchange relation with conditioning medium passing through heat exchanger 6. It is to be noted that the heat exchanger is of the serpentine type having bends 7 extending beyond end plates 7. The induced air mixes with the primary air and is discharged through outlet 8 in the top of casing 2. 1

The passage of air through heat exchanger 6 is regulated by means of an actuated member or damper 9. When the damper is in the position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1, secondary air will flow through bypass passage 10 and when the damper is in the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1, secondary-air will flow through heat exchanger 6. Damper 9 is securedto shaft 11 which is pivotally supported in brackets (not shown) within casing 2. The damper'is urged clockwise as seen in FIGURE 1 by gravity, as by means of a counterbalance 13 securedto shaft 11. It is apparent that other means may be employed to urge the damper clockwise, as for example, a spring secured at one end to the damper and at the other end to the casing.

The means for urging damper 9 "counterclockwise as seen in FIGURE 1, bypassingsecondary air through passage 10, comprise an expansible member or bellows 14 and control therefor. Control air for actuating the bellows is preferably supplied from plenum chamber '3 though, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the, art, air may be supplied from a separate source. One side of.the bellows 14;is secured to bracket 15 which is fixedly mounted within casing 2. Theother sideof the bellows is movable to actuatedamper 9. Air flows from plenum cham: her 3- through line 17 to filter 18, which eliminates dust particles from the air. The air thenpasses through line 19" to the air pressure regulator 20which will maintain a constant downstream pressure. The air passes through line 21 to the restriction T 22. Control air pressure is transmitted through line24to the expansible member or bellows 14 for actuating the same. The remainder of the control air flows through line 25 to changeover valve 26. Pressure relief valve 23 is provided on restriction T 22 to bleed excess pressure'to the atmosphere.

Changeover valve 26 senses the approximate temperature of the conditioning medium flowing through heat exchanger 6 and diverts the air through either line 27 or 28 to the heating portion or the cooling portion of thermostat 29.

Thermostat 29 includes a casing or housing 32 having responsive substance having a high coefficient of expansion. As the power element is heated the substance therein expands and forces push rod 55 against override mechanism 56 to urge valve 49 downwardly, asviewed in FIG- URE 2. I v

Overtravel mechanism .56, which compensates for overtravel of the push rod, comprises support arms '57:se-

cured toabase 58 which is adapted tol engagebal1 49.

an inlet 33 in communication withthe room air and an 1 outlet 34. The lines 27 and 28 open within thecasing 32 ina heating port and a cooling port. The cooling bleed control 30 and the heating bleed control 31 operate to selectively bleed air to the atmosphere depending upon the different operating conditions.

' Referring to FIGURE 2 there is shown a cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism of the present invention. The changeover valve basically comprises housing 36 and a mounting member 37 secured thereto. Housing 36 is generally cylindrical and has a longitudinal bore 38 therein. Wall 38 closes one end of housing 36 and the other end is closed by mounting member 37. Extending through the wall of housing 36 and in communication with the longitudinal bore 38 are a plurality of ports 46, 41 and 42. Connector 43 is secured to housing 36 in communication with port and is connected to cooling line 28. Connector 44is connected to housing 36 in communication with port 41 atone-end and is connected at the other. 1 end with line 25. Connector 45 is secured to the housing 36 at one end in communciation with port 42 and is connected at the other end with heating line 27. For convenience the ports are formed such that the axes thereof der within housing 36. O-rings 51' and 52' provide a,

sealhetween thefirst and secondretainers, respectively, and the surface of the the longitudinal bore.

ball upwardly as viewed inFIGURE 2 so as to communicateline 25 with cooling line 28.v

The. means for urging ball valve 49 downwardly. as.

viewed in FIGURE 2 to closethe passage between ports 44) and 41 and to open the passage between ports 41 and 42 so as to communicate lines 25 and 27 comprises a. power element 54, push rod 55, and overtravel mechanism 56- Within the power element 54 is a temperature The in-turned part 59 of each-arm cooperates'to retain cup 6% within the support arms. Cup 60which is engaged by push rod 55 cooperates with base 58 to support spring 61 therebetween.

When the substance within 'powerelement 54 cools and contracts, spring 63 acts to return the push rod 55 to s 7 Return spring 63 bears at one end upon thesecond retainer 52 and'at the other end upon its initial position.

the bell cap64. Thebell cap .64 has an opening 65 therein through which the push rod extends.

The mounting member which is formed from'material' having a high thermal conductivity, as for example, brass, comprises a cap 66 havinginternal threadsjthere'in. The internal threads67 cooperate with external threads 68 011 housing 36 to fasten thev mounting member to the housing. An O -ri'ng 69, is provided between the mounting member 37 and housing 36-as shown in FIGURE 2. The position of the mounting member with respect to the housing may be fixed by means of set screw 71.

On the mounting cap 66 there is a flange 72. As can be seen in FIGURE 3, the oppositely disposed sides ofthe cap are'machined to forma fiat surface 73 and a flat surface 74; One or the other of these flat surfaces is adapted curvedsurface 75 that is adapted-to conform to the exterior configurationof a bend. Stud-76 extends, from and is integral with'cap 66. The exterior surface of. the stud is threaded as at 77. A mounting washer 78 having'an opening 79 therein extends over the stud and is secured thereto by lock cap, 82. Curved surface 80on mounting washer 78 cooperates with curved surface 75 to clamp a bend therebetween. The fiat surface 81 on mounting washer 7 8 cooperates with either flat surface 73 or flat surface 74 on cap 66 to mountflthe valve" mechanism in proper position on the heat exchanger. The plane'of each flat surface 73, 74 lies parallel to a vertical plane passing.

through connectors 43, 44, 45'respectively. 'Thus'it is seen that the'flatsurfaces cooperate with one another to align the valve mechanism such that .the connectors extend vertically up or vertically down. 'Lock cap 82 is provided with internal threads 83 which are adopted to engage the threads 77 on stud 76. a

To mountthe valve mechanism in place it is merely 3 necessary 'to remove lockingcap 82 from stud 76. The

mounting Washer 78 is removed and. the cap is then placed a in position bearing against the return bend with one or the other of the flat surfaces .73, 74'bearingagainst end plate 7.

r with the flat surface 81 appropriately aligned with one Spring 53': which is disposed betweerrwall 39- and ball 49 urges the or the other of the surfaces 73, 74 against end plate 7'. The curved surfaces 75' and abut the. exterior surface of bend 7. Lock cap 82 is securely fastened to the threads on stud 76 to maintain thevalve mechanism in position; I 1

\ The valve mechanism is designed to be ,calibrated in 'the'factory for predetermined designconditions. Thecap 66 is threaded upon housing .36. Heat applied to the brass cap 66 is conducted through thecap to power element 54 to expand the substancetherein. Connectors 44 and 45" are connected to a source of air under pressure andthetemperature at which ball 49 is moved to communicate the connectors 44 and 45 is ascertained. Cap 66 is then rotated with. respect to housing 36 to obtain proper calibration.

Mounting washer 78 is slid over stud 76' a v V The valve mechanism is so designed that when properlycalibrated, if the flat surfaces 73 and 74 do not lie" in planes" that are parallel to a plane passing through' the longitudinal axis of connectors 43, 44, 45, the cap may be rotated within 90 in either direction to obtain such parallel alignment of the flat surfaces with respect to the vertical plane passing through the connectors without adversely affecting the calibration of the valve mechanism. After such adjustment the set screw is rotated to securely lock the mounting cap 66 to the housing 36.

Referring to FIGURE 4, there is shown the restriction T that is illustrated only schematically in FIG. URE 1. The restriction T comprises a body 85 having therein a longitudinal bore 86. Internal threads 87 are provided in one end of the bore in body 85. Connection 88 has external threads 89 on one end thereof adapted to engage with threads 87. .The other end of connection 88 is adapted to be secured to line 21. Orifice 90 is disposed between the'end of connection 88 and an end of body 85. Seal 91' is provided adjacent sharp-edged orifice 90 to prevent leakage of fluid therefrom. Within body 85 are radial bores 92 and 93. Connector 94 extends within bore 93 and is connected at one end to the body 85 and is connected at the other end with line 24. Connector 95 extends within radial bore 92 and is connected at one end with body 85 and is connected at the other end to line 25.

The orientation of bores 92 and 93 with respect to orifice 90 is significant for the bore 93 is located approximately at the vena contracta of the sharp-edged orifice. A lower pressure results within bellows 14, which enables counterbalance 13 to more easily move damper 9 to close the bypass passage.

Relief valve 23 is comprised of a gravity seated ball 97 adapted to close bore 96 in body 85. Cap 98 which retains the ball generally in position has grooves 99 in the inner sides thereof to bleed air to the atmosphere when the pressure builds up in the system beyond a predetermined limit. The weight of the gravity ball 97 is calibrated to the desired safety pressure for the system.

Considering the operation of the control system under summer conditions, control air is supplied from plenum chamber 3 through filter 18 to pressure regulator 20. The air from regulator 20 then passes through restriction T 22. Pressure downstream of the restriction T is transmitted to the expansible member or bellows 14 to operate damper 9. Changeover valve 21 senses the temperature of the conditioning medium flowing through heat exchanger 6. With the temperature of the cooling medium below a first predetermined temperature, say for example 65 spring 53 urges ball 49 upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 2 and port 40 is in communication with port 41. Thus control air passes from line 25 to line 28. When cooling bleed control 30 is open, control air will bleed to the atmosphere and the damper 9 Will be rotated clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 under the influence of gravity. When bleed control 30 closes in response to satisfaction of the demand for cooling by secondary air passing thereover, the pressure buildup is felt upstream and the bellows is expanded to actuate damper 9 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 1, thus reducing the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger 6 by bypassing secondary air through passage 10.

During winter operating conditions, a heating conditioning medium is passed through heat exchanger 6. Heat from return bend 7 is conducted through cap 66 to power element 54. The expansion of the substance within control element 54 causes the ball 49 to move downwardly as seen in FIGURE 2 placing the lines 25 and 27 in communication with one another. Control air pressure is transmitted through line 24 to expansible member 14.

I Control air flows through line 25, changeover valve 26,

and line 27 to thermostat 29 where the bleeding of air from the open end thereof is controlled by heating bleed control 31. Assuming there is a demand for heating, the control 31 will be warped in a direction to open the end of line 27 in response to the temperature of secondary air'passing thereover. As air is being bled to the atmosphere, damper 9 will be pivoted clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1 by the counterbalance 13 to close bypass passage 10 and permit more secondary air to pass through heat exchanger 6. When there is no longer a'demand for heat, i.e., upon an increase. of secondary air temperature, the bleed control 31 will be warped in response to the temperature of the secondary air passing thereover in a direction to approach closure of the open end of line 27. The pressure'upstream will rise and this'pressure increase will be sensed in expansible member 14 where expansion will take place and damper 9 will be moved to reduce the flow of airthrough heat exchanger 6 and increase the air bypassing the heat exchanger through passage 10.

By the present invention there is provided a valve mechanism of improved design. The valve mechanism includes a power element for actuating the valve in response to temperature and includes means for mounting the valve on the return bend of a heat exchanger without affecting the calibration of such valve. Though the valve mechanism has been described for use in a control system employing air as the control medium, it will be apparent that other fluids may be used.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A valve mechanism adapted to be mounted on a bend of a heat exchanger comprising a casing having a longitudinal bore therein and an open end, first, second and third passages in communication with said bore, means for selectively communicating said first and second passages or said second and third passages, respectively, a mounting member connected to and closing the open end of said casing and adapted to engage a portion of the bend, said mounting member having a surface which generally conforms to a portion of the outer surface of the bend of an associated heat exchanger, said mounting member having actuator means therein for moving said communicating means in response to a predetermined temperature condition to selectively connect said first and second passages or said second and third passages respectively, and a mounting Washer on said mounting member, said mounting washer having a surface which generally conforms to a portion of the outer surface of said bend, said mounting washer cooperating with the mounting member to connect the casing to a bend of the heat exchanger.

2. A changeover valve mechanism comprising a casing having a longitudinal bore therein, means defining an inlet and a pair of radial outlet bores in said casing in communication with said longitudinal bore, the axis of said radial bores lying in a plane, a mounting member readily secured to said casing and closing the end of said longitudinal bore, said mounting member being made from a material having a high thermal conductivity and being constructed to be mounted on a tubular support containing a medium subject to temperature change, means in said longitudinal bore for selectively communicating the inlet With one of said radial bores and means in said mounting member for actuating said communicating means in response to variation in temperature of said medium, rotation of said mounting member with respect to said casing varying the desired responsive temperature, said mounting member being rotatable a predeter- 1 ing means on said casing for securing-the casing to the a heat exchange coil; said casing having a first opening;

commtmicating with sai d bore and adapted-to communicate with a source of fluid, a second opening communicating with said bore'andadapted to communicate Witha control; a third opening communicating with said bore and adapted'to communicate with a control; valve means in said bore selectively connecting said first opening p Q a I 1, plane passing throughtheaxes-of lthe first, second and? third openings being in a predetermined orientation with respect to'the plane of the flat surface 'vvhen the actuat with said second' orl third-opening, means foractuating saidvalve means in response to a temperatureflcondition of the conditioning medium, 'said mounting means being movable-with respect to-said casing to adjust the actuating means to respond to a desired temperature'condi-tion, said mounting means having a flat surface thereon, a

ing means is calibrated to respond to a'desired temperatu'reicondi tion.' 7 1 References Cited in th e file of this patent UN ITED STATESIPATENTS 2,462,217 oaks Feb..22,i 1949 2,532,8961 r/Dillman Dec; 5, 1950: 2,670,609 Matteson- Mar. 2,. 1954 2,781,979 I Kraft'1 -1.-- Feb. 19, 1957 2,830,767 I-Ierbenar Apr. 15, 1958 I JFOREIGN PATENTS f 981,388 France j Ian.110, 1951 1,035,408

Germany July} 31, 1958 SWIDER UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QETIFHJATE COBECTION Patent No 3, 165 ,263 January 12 1965 Richard C. Dreibelbis It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent req'iiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 28, for "suppleid" read supplied column 3, line 44, for "38" read 39 column 6, line 12, for "at" read flat Signed and sealed this 18th day of May 1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents 

1. A VALVE MECHANISM ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON A BEND OF A HEAT EXCHANGER COMPRISING A CASING HAVING A LONGITUDINAL BORE THEREIN AND AN OPEN END, FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PASSAGES IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID BORE, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY COMMUNICATING SAID FIRST AND SECOND PASSAGES OR SAID SECOND AND THIRD PASSAGES, RESPECTIVELY, A MOUNTING MEMBER CONNECTED TO AND CLOSING THE OPEN END OF SAID CASING AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A PORTION OF THE BEND, SAID MOUNTING MEMBER HAVING A SURFACE WHICH GENERALLY CONFORMS TO A PORTION OF THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE BEND OF AN ASSOCIATED HEAT EXCHANGER, SAID MOUNTING MEMBER HAVING ACTUATOR MEANS THEREIN FOR MOVING SAID COMMUNICATING MEANS IN RESPONSE TO A PREDETERMINED TEMPERATURE CONDITION TO SELECTIVELY CONNECT SAID FIRST AND SECOND PASSAGES OR SAID SECOND AND THIRD PASSAGES RESPECTIVELY, AND A MOUNTING WASHER ON SAID MOUNTING MEMBER, SAID MOUNTING WASHER HAVING A SURFACE WHICH GENERALLY, CONFORMS TO A PORTION OF THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID BEND, SAID MOUNTING WASHER COOPERATING WITH THE MOUNTING MEMBER TO CONNECT THE CASING TO A BEND OF THE HEAT EXCHANGER. 